Isla Bennett
Gel manicures are a popular choice for those wanting long-lasting, chip-free nails. However, the process of curing gel nail polish under a UV or LED lamp can cause skin ageing and DNA damage that may lead to cancer. Additionally, gel nail polish contains chemicals that can cause allergic reactions and leave nails dry and brittle. While some sources argue that uneducated nail technicians are to blame for nail damage, others claim that the removal process can be damaging, with improper techniques leading to temporary nail damage, including cracking, peeling, and an overall weakening of the nail plate. To maintain nail health, dermatologists recommend rehydrating nails with a moisturising product between polishes and allowing nails to recover by taking breaks from manicures.
Are gel nails bad for your nails?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pros | Long-lasting, quick-drying, and resistant to smudging and chipping |
| Cons | Exposure to UV radiation, which can cause skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer; contains acrylate and methacrylate, which can cause allergic reactions; removal can damage nails, causing cracking, peeling, and overall weakening of the nail plate; can leave nails dry and brittle |
| Tips for safe use | Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against UV radiation; ensure tools are sterilized and disinfected; do not let the manicurist push or cut your cuticles; allow time between manicures for nails to recover; moisturize nails and cuticles between polishes |
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What You'll Learn
Gel nail polish contains harmful chemicals
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. Gel nail polishes contain harmful chemicals that can cause severe allergic reactions and adverse effects such as itching and nail damage. The main chemicals of concern are called methacrylates, which can cause itchy, painful rashes when they leak into the skin. Other names for this chemical compound are hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). The risk of an allergic reaction increases when the polish has not been properly cured under a UV lamp, which can then damage anything it comes into contact with. In a study conducted by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD), 2.4% of people who used gel polishes had an allergy to the chemicals used.
The "toxic trio" of toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are also cause for concern. Toluene can be found in nail polish and fingernail glue, and can cause dry or cracked skin, headaches, dizziness, and numbness, as well as irritated eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Formaldehyde and DBP can cause similar issues, including nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat. Long-term exposure to DBP may also cause other serious effects.
Other harmful chemicals found in nail salons include acetone, acetonitrile, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and ethyl methacrylate (EMA). These chemicals can be found in nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue, and artificial nail liquids, and can cause a range of issues such as irritated skin, nose, and throat, breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, weakness, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating.
To minimize the potential harm caused by these chemicals, it is recommended to only get manicures from professional and trained technicians who use reputable brands. It is also important to ensure that the salon has good ventilation and practices proper disinfection of tools.
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Gel manicures can lead to skin cancer
While gel manicures are beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. The main concern, however, is not the polish itself, but the UV light used to seal the polish during professional manicures. This is because UV light can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer.
Ultraviolet (UV) lamps used to dry gel nail polish produce artificial UV radiation, similar to that of tanning beds or the natural UV radiation that the sun produces. UVA radiation, in particular, plays a major role in the development of cancer. The risk of skin cancer increases with the frequency of manicures. In a case study, two women with no personal or family history of the disease reported skin cancer after UV lamp exposure.
To protect your hands from UV exposure during a manicure, you can wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and fingerless gloves. It is also recommended to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before your manicure. This will help protect your skin from UV rays and ward off skin cancer and signs of early aging.
Additionally, it is important to care for your nails in between gel manicures. Dermatologists recommend taking a nail polish holiday and trying to not wear nail polish for one to two weeks or longer. You can also apply a moisturizing product, such as petroleum jelly, to your nails and cuticles several times daily to minimize brittleness and help prevent your nails from chipping.
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Removal of gel nail polish can damage nails
Gel nail manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also be tough on nails. While some people say that gel nails are less damaging than regular nail polish, the removal process can make gel nails more damaging overall. The removal process can damage nails, and incorrect removal can also cause harm.
The best way to remove gel nail polish is to let your nails grow out. Clipping them once a week will help to remove the gel nail polish and prevent the nails from catching on clothing and other objects. It is important to resist the urge to pick at gel nail polish. Picking, filing, or scraping off the polish can cause significant damage to your nails and may even cause white spots.
Acetone is the most effective way to remove gel nail polish at home. To avoid damage, it is important to follow a careful process. First, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to each cuticle and the surrounding skin to protect it from the acetone. Then, soak cotton balls in acetone and apply them to your nails, wrapping small pieces of plastic food wrap or aluminium foil around your fingertips. This will ensure that only your nails come into contact with the acetone. Leave the wrap on for 10 minutes, then remove it. Most or all of the gel nail polish should come off with the wrap. Remove any remaining gel nail polish with a washcloth that you've run under warm water. Gently rub the nail to avoid damaging the surrounding skin. Finally, wash your hands with a gentle soap and water to remove the acetone.
Alternatively, you can use a nail file to remove the gel nail polish. However, this method requires extreme caution to avoid filing the surface of the nail plate. First, use the file to remove as much of the gel as possible. Then, file a little more, being careful not to file the surface of the nail plate. Stop filing when you start to see the clear base coat peeking through.
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Gel manicures can cause skin ageing
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails and skin. The curing process involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin ageing and DNA damage that may lead to cancer. This is similar to the risk posed by tanning beds, which also use UVA light. Even LED lamps, which are often marketed as a safer alternative, emit UV radiation.
The amount of UV exposure during the curing process is significant, especially considering how often people use their hands and how rarely they protect them. Dr. Ranasinghe notes that the cumulative bursts of UV exposure during gel manicures increase UV-induced skin damage and the associated risks. This exposure can lead to premature skin ageing and other issues.
To protect your skin, it is recommended to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your hands before getting a gel manicure. This will act as a barrier against the UV radiation used to seal the gel nail polish. Additionally, it is important to ensure that your manicurist is using sterilised tools and is cleaning and disinfecting them after each client.
While gel manicures can provide a long-lasting and attractive finish, it is crucial to be aware of the potential risks, including skin ageing, and to take the necessary precautions to minimise these risks effectively.
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Gel manicures can lead to DNA damage
While gel manicures can be beautiful and long-lasting, they can be tough on nails. The curing process involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin ageing and DNA damage that may lead to cancer. This is similar to the risk posed by tanning beds, which also use UVA light. Even LED lamps, which emit lower levels of UV radiation, are not risk-free.
The UV exposure from gel manicures is particularly concerning given the hands' frequent use and lack of protection. Dr. Ranasinghe notes that the cumulative bursts of UV exposure during the curing process increase UV-induced skin damage and risk. To protect the skin from UV radiation, dermatologists recommend applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the hands before a gel manicure.
In addition to the UV risks, gel nail polish contains acrylate and methacrylate, which can cause allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis and, less commonly, hives. Improper removal of gel polish can also temporarily damage nails, leading to issues like cracking, peeling, and an overall weakening of the nail plate. These problems can take months to resolve as the damaged nail grows out.
To minimise damage, dermatologists advise taking a break between gel manicures to allow nails to recover. They also recommend moisturising the nails and cuticles with products like petroleum jelly to minimise brittleness and prevent chipping. It is essential to be proactive with manicurists, ensuring they sterilise their tools and do not push or cut the cuticles, as this can lead to inflammation and infection.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, gel nails can be bad for your nails. The removal process can temporarily damage your nails, causing cracking, peeling, and an overall weakening of the nail plate.
Some alternatives to gel nails are traditional manicures, peel-off polish, gel-effect polish, non-toxic natural nail polish, dip powder nails, and press-on nails.
The curing process in gel manicures involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin aging and DNA damage that may lead to cancer.
To safely remove gel nail polish, only soak your fingertips in acetone or use cotton balls soaked in acetone and wrapped in aluminum foil. Do not pick at the polish or scrape it off.
To maintain healthy nails, it is recommended to take breaks between gel manicures, moisturize your nails and cuticles, and protect your hands with sunscreen before the curing process.
